This is like the tempo. It brings shape, accents and cycles to a certain tempo. It is the thread that holds it all together. While everyone may be playing different rhythms, it is essential that everyone feel the same pulse. Often you feel a pulse through the base drums but are kept in time by the bell or blocks.

Notation

We use a time line with numbers traveling left to right with a set tempo. You play whatever is below the line when you arrive at it going left to right.

Independence

Rhythmic independence refers to being able to do different things with different hands or feet of voice at the same time. Eg. 4/4 pulse with the left hand and a æ pulse with the right. Playing Therese with your left and singing Rumble or playing it with your right.

Improvisation & Jamming

There is much unwritten etiquette & communication going on in jamming. Usually you will jam on a particular rhythm. One person may play the rhythm while the other does improvises, someone may call a stop and then you both come back in together on the same rhythm. One person may change or add to the rhythm and the other may follow and increase the tempo till its really fast then call a ‡ time change for some space. One may start repeating a nice part of a solo and then you both play it in unison. These are all common ways of improvising around a rhythm. Jamming is not just playing anything.

Relax when jamming, always listening & going with changes, trying not to over play or dominate. Nothing can really go wrong. Explore possibilities, play things you wouldn’t normally, and compliment or strengthen what your partner is playing. It’s a great way to explore drumming with a friend.

In some African music, particular calls have a meaning. African dances can be directied by drummers to do certain things in a dance. All the communication is done through an agreed language of calls & rhythms.

Ways to learn a rhythm

The fastest way is by heart, by copying it from a person or recording. This may take several goes. On occasion the rhythm may not go in. In this case break it down from the notation. Try clapping it, saying or singing it. Play the 1st half for a while, then the 2nd half, and then put them together. Get clear on the techniques and then do it all slowly so you know it’s correct.

Vocalising is the traditional method of learning a rhythm. We use this in class quite a lot. You sing a pattern until you know it by heart and then do it some more to really get it into your cellular memory.